The Collings Forum

I've been looking for an OM1SS for a while. I really like small, responsive guitars that work well for all styles and in particular, fingerstyle.

I just noticed the new 001 14-fret model that Collings has introduced. The specs sound a lot like what I'd want. Has anyone here had the opportunity
to play one. If so, what'd you think?

I haven't had the opportunity to play one (yet), but I have ordered one. I found it by accident, and I was sure the site had an error--to my mind, at least previously, "Collings doesn't make a 14 fret 00!" So I called Collings and found six, IIRC, are out there, some not even up on the websites yet. All 001 14s, and one 002HG 14 (Music Emporium). They all seem to have Adirondack tops (or most, except the 002HG is German, of course) and one is a Traditional (Sound Pure), one has a baked top (Cranell, in NY maybe). I have wanted this guitar for a long time, my similar (yet different) C-10 is a favorite of mine, and so I "had to have" this guitar. The one I am grabbing is coming off the line in about a month. I stayed with my local dealer and could pick up that one. It is an 001A with 1 3/4ths nut (they all seemed to have that also, which is my preference). Just a little smaller than the OM, but with Collings, it will be, of course a spectacular guitar!

I'll be anxious to read your review when it arrives.

I had the opportunity to purchase the first 001-14T that was showcased at NAMM from The Music Emporium

I posted a review and video over at AGF here
https://www.acousticguitarforum.com/for ... p?t=572428

As a frame of reference I currently also own an 01T and have owned the past: OM1, OM1ss baked sitka (one with adi braces and one with sitka braces/pyramid bridge), OM1T, 01.

Hope it helps!

Very nice! I'd be curious as to how the 001 - 14 fret compares to the OM1ss. For the most part, from what I see, the major difference is the body size is a little smaller.

I've been looking for a Collings om1G SS but these new 001 14-frets are certainly a contender. I'd love to be able to play them side by side for comparison.

I have a few videos of my old om1ss that I no longer own.

Here is one that may be helpful in comparison to the 001T video. Same strings. But the room and recording device are different:

https://youtu.be/iii-AtuEV4I

Another video, with different strings but I am playing the same Julian Lage song:

https://youtu.be/a-6KD3TjqJs

Yes the OM1ss is slightly bigger but not by much. The 001 doesn't feel small at all. If I didnt know any better I would say it's very close in size to the OM1. Also, keep in mind the om1ss is a non-traditional model so construction is also different - lighter build, lighter woods, no tongue brace, bracing is slightly different and the finish is thinner. As such, the traditional models are slightly more woody and dry sounding. The bridge spacing is wider on the traditional models and the neck shape is very different than the standard modified V. It's got more shoulder and mass. Also the new neck construction on the traditional models seems to relax the "quickness" of the upper mids a bit. Finally my om1ss I had a baked sitka top. The 001T is a non baked sitka top.

Overall I would say that my 001T has less upper mids, smoother high end with less jangly type overtones all while having a slightly more prominent low mid presence. The low end seems as big if not bigger but I think it's just a bit more balanced that the OM1 and there arent as many competing frequencies if that makes sense. I think if you listen with a keen ear you can kind of pick that up in the videos. I am quite surprised by the power and warmth of the 001T. I think as it breaks in it will only get better. As of now, I don't feel that I am missing out by not having an OM.

I hope that helps!

Thanks for the videos. How would you rate the responsiveness on the new 001? You play without nails so I'd imagine that you like a guitar that has a clear, defined bass response.
I do play with nails but still like a crisp but full treble and well defined bass.
I bet the 001 14-fret with a German top would be nice as well.

No problem. As with most Collings I've played, this 001T is very responsive. As it has the less prominent upper mids compared to my 01T it doesn't feel as "fast" tonally but my 01T is older and has a great woody/dryness to it that really only came about after it really started to break in this last year. My 001T doesn't have quite the woody/dryness to it yet but that'll come as I play it more and the guitar settles. Bass response on the 001T is superb - probably my favorite out of all small body Collings that I've played.

The Music Emporium does a have a new 002H with German Top: https://themusicemporium.com/new-arriva ... man-spruce

If you haven't dealt with them, I highly recommend them. Give them a call, ask for Andy (tell him Windsen recommended him). He can help go over guitars features and tonal characteristics with you!

Hope that helps!

-Windsen

I forgot something when I stated above that I had called Collings (it was this last Monday, 2/17/2020) about the 001 and 002 models they have made and are out there at dealerships: I only asked about those with German or Adirondack tops. So I don't know how many Sitka (or even Mahogany) 00s might be out there (I am pretty sure they have an all hog being built and/or is at a dealers already). I realized this when I found an 002H at Telluride...

TME just posted a video of the very 002HG that I referenced earlier:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vihlWXrXma0